Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD has announced the roll out of free period products in the further education and training sector.
The Programme for Government commits to provide a range of free, adequate, safe, and suitable period products in all educational publicly-funded settings, including schools and third level colleges, to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period poverty.
Nine colleges across 6 ETBs (Education and Training Boards) will be involved in this pilot initiative, which will see free, sustainable period products and dispensers for students.
Speaking today, Minister Collins said: “Access to education is rooted in the principles of equality and social inclusion, and it important that no one is left behind due to their socio-economic background, gender or other circumstances.
“I welcome this pilot initiative and hope it’s success will see it extended across the whole ETB network. No one should have their education disrupted because of period poverty.”
Director of Further Education and Training at ETBI, Dr Fiona Maloney, said: “ETBI is delighted to launch the ‘Worryfree’ campaign today – on International Women’s Day 2022.
“We know that period poverty is a problem in Ireland and this campaign will help ensure learners can focus on their education and training programmes without having to worry about the cost of period products. We hope to see this pilot scheme prove successful and for the ‘Worryfree’ campaign to become a permanent fixture in every ETB in Ireland.”
The free period product trial aims to progress the key recommendations from the ‘Period Poverty in Ireland’ Report in Further Education and Training sector. The initiative will help those in need and will ensure women do not neglect their education and training due to period poverty.